Mark Malatesta

Mark Malatesta is a former NY Times bestselling literary agent and Marketing & Licensing Manager of a well-known publisher. Now Mark is a Bestselling Author Coach™ and branding consultant who helps authors write, publish, and market their books.

Mark Malatesta specializes in books with bestseller or high commercial potential, and he works with authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, children’s books) around the world, at all stages of development. Mark’s authors have gotten 6-figure advances, been on the NY Times bestseller list, won countless awards, been licensed in more than 30 countries, and had their work picked up for television, stage, and feature film.

Mark Malatesta works with:

1. Unpublished Authors

2. Published Authors

Mark’s primary goal as a Bestselling Author Coach™ is to help authors see all their options before they invest lots of time and/or money in the book publishing process. That’s because every author is different – with a unique personality, skills sets, needs, and desires.

Mark Malatesta’s complete bio is below…

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Mark Malatesta– Creator of The Directory of Literary Agents™

When Mark retired as a literary agent to become an author coach, he quickly realized that the literary agent directories on the market (print and online) were flawed. The print versions are 6 months old by the time they’re edited, printed, and distributed to bookstores. And the online versions are riddled with mistakes. Getting an agent is hard enough–the last thing you need it to get rejected because you’re literary agent information is unreliable. That’s why Mark created The Directory of Literary Agents™.

The Directory of Literary Agents™ was originally developed so Mark could create accurate lists of literary agents for his 1-on-1 coaching clients. Then Mark published the directory online so everyone could have access to it… even though other people charge for theirs (and they’re only half as good). The Directory of Literary Agents™ is the most comprehensive (and accurate) literary agent directory in the world, and it’s the easiest to use.

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Mark Malatesta– Founder of The Bestselling Author™

As Founder and CEO of The Bestselling Author™ Mark Malatesta helps authors around the world write, publish, and market their books. “Not every author can make the NY Times bestseller list” says Mark, “but every talented author deserves to reach as many people as possible… whether it’s with a traditional publisher like Random House or through self-publishing supported by smart book marketing. That’s what The Bestselling Author is all about. If you’re an aspiring author, click here now to get FREE INSTANT ACCESS to interviews with tips from bestselling authors and Mark’s signature talk: 7 Insider Secrets to Becoming a Bestselling Author.

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Mark Malatesta– Founder of Literary Agent Undercover

As the Founder and CEO of Literary Agent Undercover, Mark Malatesta is helping authors get top literary agents and publishers, so they can get traditional publishing deals. In other words, Literary Agent Undercover is for authors that want to “get paid to publish” … instead of “pay to publish.” This includes: 1) Unpublished authors that are just getting started, 2) Self-published authors who now want to find a traditional publisher, and 3) Previously published authors that have lost their agent and/or publisher and want to find a new one.

To help authors achieve these goals, Mark Malatesta offers a free weekly newsletter, insider articles, audio and video training (including interviews with top literary agents), online Directory of Literary Agents, an interactive “Ask a Literary Agent” area on the website, and 1-on-1 consulting. Mark Malatesta and Literary Agent Undercover work with authors around the world, writing in every genre: fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books.

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Mark Malatesta– Founder of WritingQuotes.com

A longtime book-lover and publishing professional, Mark Malatesta has always collected quotes and sayings about books, writing, and publishing. He’s written many as well. WritingQuotes.com is a platform to share those quotes with others who share the same passion for writing and books. When Mark was in college he used to create handmade cards and notes and share them with friends on campus. The cards combined quotes and sayings with graphics–not much different from those you see on this website.

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Mark Malatesta – Business & Brand Development Consultant

In addition to serving as CEO of The Bestselling Author™, Mark Malatesta is the Marketing Director and Head Trainer for Born Celebrity…a business/brand development company that he runs with his wife and business partner, Ingrid Elfver. Born Celebrity helps creative entrepreneurs combine their unique life experience, skill sets, and authenticity with “clever” business and marketing strategy. Born Celebrity clients aren’t just interested in money — they’re equally committed to living their true passion and making a positive difference in the world. Born Celebrity currently has more than 100,000 followers/fans.

Founded by Ingrid Elfver in 2010, Born Celebrity works with clients that are (or want to be) trendsetters in their industry. As a result, Born Celebrity clients are frequently quoted by and/or featured by the media. For example, Born Celebrity clients have appeared on CNN, ABC, NBC, FOX News, PBS, Extra, The Huffington Post, etc. Theyve appeared in magazines like Time, People, National Geographic, Cosmopolitan, Bazaar, etc. They’ve published books with major publishing houses like Random House. And they’ve been paid spokespersons for major brands like Macy’s, Sears, Marc Jacobs, Walgreen’s, HP, etc.

According to Ingrid, Mark Malatesta has a unique ability to come up with “high-concept” ideas to make businesses and brands more profitable. One of Mark’s coaching clients says, “Even his ideas have ideas.”

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Mark Malatesta– Former NY Times Bestselling Literary Agent

A former literary agent (President & Owner of “New Brand Agency Group”), Mark Malatesta has helped many authors launch their publishing careers. When Mark was running New Brand Agency, he used the name “Mark Ryan” (his stepfather’s name). So if you’re trying to find info on Google about his time during those years, use the search terms “New Brand Agency” and/or “Mark Ryan”. Mark’s work as a literary agent resulted in millions of books sold, as well as works being picked up for TV, stage, and feature film (with companies like Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks). Authors that Mark Malatesta has worked with have gotten 6-figure advances, been on the NY Times bestseller list, been licensed in more than 30 countries, and won countless national and international awards and honors. Listed below are many of the the book that Mark Malatesta was personally responsible for getting published.

Mark Malatesta – Former AAR Member

Mark Malatesta is proud of the fact that he was a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (2002-05). That’s because book agents have to meet several criteria to qualify for membership: 1) Sell ten book legitimate publishers within 18 months, 2) Get two members of the AAR to vouch for them, and 3) Follow a strict code of ethics. Less than one third of all active publishing agents are members, and they are the best of the best. That’s why Mark Malatesta will always be an advocate of the AAR. However, please note (for legal reasons), the AAR is not affiliated with Mark Malatesta and his business as a Book Marketing Coach. The AAR does not sponsor, support or endorse Mark Malatesta in any way. Click here to learn more about the Association of Authors’ Representatives or AAR.

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Mark Malatesta– Former Marketing & Licensing Manager

In addition to the five years he spent as a literary agent, Mark Malatesta also spent several years as the Marketing & Licensing Manager of Blue Mountain Arts (the book and gift publisher that invented e-greetings, then sold their e-card division for close to $1 billion at the height of the dot com bubble). During his time at Blue Mountain Arts, Mark Malatesta helped scout new talent, develop new products, and he negotiated distribution and licensing deals at events like Book Expo America (BEA), the London Book Fair, and the Frankfurt Book Fair.

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Mark Malatesta– Keynote Speaker

A writer at heart (the reason he started working in publishing in the first place), Mark Malatesta is one of the few publishing professionals that understands (and genuinely loves) writers. The publishing industry is filled with jaded cynics that are quick to tell authors why they can’t be successful, instead of showing them how to increase their odds. As a result, Mark Malatesta loves sharing his insider secrets in a way that authors call inspiring and empowering. Mark thrives on helping authors see how to give their work greater commercial potential and position themselves in the best way possible.

Due to his unique blend of passion and expertise, Mark Malatesta has been invited to write feature articles for publications like The Guide to Literary Agents, a column for WritersDigest.com, and he’s delivered keynote addresses and seminars at some of the most prominent writers’ conferences in the United States and abroad. If you’d like Mark Malatesta to speak to your group, check his availability by calling (800) 928-5028 or click here to send Mark’s office an email.

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"It has been an awfully long and bloody road towards publication but I’m finally on my way. Hard work, struggle, disappointments, and perseverance are important. So is following the advice of publishing industry experts like Mark. He helped me get a top literary agent and now my novel, The Wrong Hand is being published by Penguin Books and their prestigious Michael Joseph imprint, which is ‘principally interested in publishing Top Ten Bestsellers’. It’s hard not to be excited." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Jane Jago (Penguin)

Author Success Story: Fiction/Mystery/Thriller

"Ballantine Books published my first two novels in hardcover and paperback after Mark Malatesta helped create an auction and bidding war for my books, resulting in a six-figure offer. Mark is one of the rare and genuine good guys, but he also has incredible information (even his ideas have ideas). One of the most important keys to success as an author is good information and support." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Jim Brown (Ballantine)

Author Success Story: Memoir

"I got the number one agent on my wish list thanks to Mark. He’s done more than 100 deals in just two year and has a long list of accolades, including being talked about in the New York Times. Within 4 minutes of sending out my revised query letter, my literary agent called me on the phone. Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. And, a few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark’s query letter did that." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

L. Subramani (Random House)

Author Success Story: Fiction/Young Adult

"When I got the phone call about my publishing offer with Harcourt, I was in my office with three other people. I slammed down the phone, ran into the secretary’s office, threw myself down on the floor and said, ‘I got a deal!’ They sat there and held my hand. I was speechless. I’ve never ever been that happy in my life. On my wedding day I wasn’t that happy! Getting married and having children are wonderful experiences, but I didn’t ‘work’ to get my children!" [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

C. Plum-Ucci (Harcourt)

Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Self-Help

"Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, ‘I can’t get your book proposal out of my head. It’s brilliant – I mean, really, it’s fantastic. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline.’ Working with Mark was completely worth it." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Amy Jo Goddard (Penguin)

Author Success Story: Eleven Fiction and Nonfiction Titles

"Finding Mark has been both a treat and a treasure. I now have two different agents for my work, and a book deal with Sky Horse Publishing. I’ve served as Creative Director of the TIME Incorporated Magazine Group; Director of Time World News Service, a Founding Director of TIME-Life Films; Executive Producer for both the CBS and NBC Television Networks; and Producer/ Director: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA. You just can’t do it alone today as an author." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

N. Lande (Harper Collins)

Author Success Story: Fiction

"Before I revised my query letter with Mark, I got no responses. When I sent out my new query, I got four requests for more material within 24 hours The support Mark provides is fantastic. His suggestions changed my original query significantly, but they also helped me see that I had something to offer. Now I have a top agent! Mark is smart and reliable and working with him has made all the difference." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Dayna Dunbar (Ballantine)

Author Success Story: Memoir/Christian

"Before I decided to work with Mark, I submitted my book to literary agents but didn’t get any interest. After I revised my query letter and book proposal, I got several agencies interested and decided to sign with Fine Print Lit, a top literary agency in New York. They got publishers bidding against each other and I ended up signing a contract with Thomas Nelson (an imprint of Harper Collins) for what I’ve been told by several people is a very large advance. What cloud is higher than 9?" [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

S. LeRette (Harper Collins)

Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction

"Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

Daniel Cohen (Berkley)

Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Business

"Not long after Mark helped me land a top literary agent, I got a call from my agent letting me know that I had three different publishing offers from well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill who recently published my book in hardcover! It was a fantastic feeling and a huge smile came over my face. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing." [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]

D. Hamme (McGraw-Hill)

About Mark Malatesta

MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark's authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.